Limb joints for dolls and the like



Jan. 1, 1963 J. WEIH 3,070,922

. LIMB JOINTS FOR DOLLS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21. .1960

2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1963 J. WEIH 3,070,922

LIMB JOINTS FOR DOLLS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Julius Weih ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 1, 1963 3,070,922 HM? ."iQlLNTS FOR DGLLS AND THE LIKE Julius Weih, Ozone Park, N .Y., assignor to ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 3,891 3 Claims. (Cl. 46-173) This invention relates to limb joints for dolls and the like and, more particularly, to novel forms of joints between the wrists and hands of dolls.

In the mass or production line assembly of dolls or the like having jointed limbs, careful consideration must be given to the design of a joint so that it will not only be eflective in operation and have a long useful life, but also will be one that can be readily adapted for incorporation in the doll during assembly line production thereof. Of course, the main consideration in such joints, such as for example the joint between the wrist and the hand of the doll, is that they have suflicient flexibility to approximate the movements of the corresponding parts of the human body. For example, the joint between the hand and the wrist must allow for swivelling of the hand about the axis of the wrist. Additionally, such a joint should preferably allow for substantially universal movement of the hand relative to the wrist.

In accordance with the present invention, the problem of providing such a substantially universal joint between a hand and a wrist, as well as that of providing for rapid interconnection of the hand and the wrist in an assembly line operation, is solved in a novel manner by providing a hand construction having a wrist end with a substantially flat surface from which there extends a centralized protuberance. Associated with the hand is an arm having a hollow or tubular wrist portion having a substantially flat hand-abutting end, provided by a peripheral inwardly extending flange. Cooperating means are provided on the wrist portion of the arm and on the protuberance of the hand whereby the hand and the arm may be readily interfitted in substantially permanent relation by a turning movement of the hand relative to the arm or vice versa. The resultant joint is of a relatively permanent nature and provides for complete swivelling of the hand relative to the arm, as well as some latitude of universal movement of the hand relative to the arm, without the joint becoming disengaged.

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a staple or loop is secured in the protuberance of the hand or other limb extremity member. A spiral or helical coil spring is provided having a substantially flat coil at one end and having the coil at the other end bent to form a rod extending axially of the spring and formed with a hook at its end. In assembling the hand and the arm, this spring is compressed with its flat end coil resting against the flat end of the hand until the axially extending hook can be engaged beneath the staple or loop. The arm wrist portion is then screwed downwardly along the spring until the flat end coil adjacent the hand rests on the inturned peripheral flange at the hand end of the wrist portion of the arm. This forms a permanent joint interconnecting the hand and the wrist, and when the hand is turned relatively to the Wrist, the flat portion of the hand bears on the peripheral flange of the wrist portion, and the fiat portion of the spring rides on the inner surface of the peripheral flange.

In another embodiment of the invention, the protuberance is formed with a helical lead-in groove leading into an undercut groove at the flat portion of the hand. In this arrangement, the relatively flexible material of the wrist portion of the arm is threaded into the helical groove and the wrist portion is turned until the entire peripheral flange is disposed in the undercut cylindrical groove adjacent the flat portion of the hand. When the members are so interconnected, it is impossible to disengage the same without tearing or cutting the peripheral flange of the wrist portion of the arm. The inturned peripheral flange, fitting into the undercut groove, together with the flange bearing against the flat surface at the end of the hand, provides a bearing surface whereby the hand and the wrist may be turned through any desired angle.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a dolls hand forming part of the pivoting joint of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a wrist end view of the dolls hand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation View, partly in section, of the wrist portion of an arm to which the hand of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be secured;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of this embodiment of the joint of the invention;

PEG. 5 is a part elevation and part sectional View of the assembled joint;

FIG. 6 is a View, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating a modification of this form of joint;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a hand used in a further embodiment of the joint of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a wrist end view of the hand shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial elevation view illustrating the hand and wrist partially assembled; and

FIG. 10 is a part elevation and part sectional view illustrating the assembled joint of this embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FEGS. 1 through 5, one embodiment of the joint includes a dolls hand It) or similar limb extremity member which is preferably slush cast from a suitable synthetic resin such as plasticol, which is an aqueous dispersion of polyvinyl chloride with a plasticizer. The slush casting produces a hollow molded hand having the indicated or any desired configuration of the fingers, thumb and other parts of the hand. The wrist end of the hand is generally circular in cross section, and includes a plane annular surface 11 having a rib 12 extending around its outer periphery and projecting slightly above or outwardly of the surface ll.

A generally cylindrical hollow protuberance 15 projects centrally from the wrist end of the hand lit, being coaxial with the surface 11. Diametrically aligned hollow nipples 13 project inwardly from the upper or outer surface of the protuberance i5, and open through this outer surface by means of holes or passages 14. A substantially conical boss 16 extends upwardly from the outer surface 17 of the protuberance 15.

An arm is arranged to be joined to the hand 10 by the joint of the present invention, so that the hand 10 and the arm may be relatively pivoted without restriction. As

3 best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, this arm is tubular and of substantially circular cross section, at least at its wrist portion, and includes a side wall 21. At the wrist end of the arm, the side wall 21 is continued inwardly as a short flange 22 defining an opening 23.

The area of the annular flange 22 is substantially equal to the combined area of surface 11 and rib 2.2 of hand 1 so that, when the hand and the wrist are assembled, the flange 22 will ride on the rib 12. Also, the diameter of the opening 23 is substantially equal to the diameter of the protuberance so that the inner portion or periphery of flange 22 will fit closely around this protuberance.

The other elements of the joint include a relatively strong wire staple or loop 25 and a helical coil spring 3%. Staple 25 is formed with converging pointed ends 26 which are entered into openings 14-. After this, the staple is criniped or compressed so that the points 26 pierce through the wall or inner surfaces adjacent the holes 14 to lock the staple firmly to the hand It).

Coil spring 39 has a flat partial end coil 31, at one end, coil 31 having a reversely directed end 32. At its opposite or outer end, spring so has another flat partial coil 33 lying in a diametric plane, and the end of coil 33 is bent inwardly to extend substantially axially of the spring 30, as indicated at 34, and formed with a hook 35 on its extremity.

In assembling the hand 10 to the wrist 20, spring is positioned with coil 31 engaging the annular surface 11, and the spring is then compressed until it is possible to engage hook with staple 25. A part of coil 33 is then inserted into the wrist 2% so as to overlie the flange 22 and then the wrist 20 is screwed down along the spring 3% until the flat partial coil 31 lies against the inner surface of flange 22 and firmly holds flange 22 against the rib 12. Alternatively, the coil spring 39 may be inserted through the wrist 20 so that partial coil 31 lies against the inner surface of flange 22 and then the spring 36 may be compressed, with flange 22 engaging rib 12, to engage hook 35 with the staple 25.

The assembled joint is shown most clearly in FIG. 5, wherein it will be noted that it is possible for the'wrist 20 to be completely rotated with respect to the hand 10, with flange 22 riding on the rib 12 and the coil portion 31 having a sliding bearing engagement with the inner surface of the flange 22. The joint cannot be disengaged except by at least partial destruction of the flange 22, so that it is sturdy and has a long useful life.

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the wrist end surface of hand 1% is formed to be substantially spherical, and the flange 22 of the wrist 20 is formed to have mating sliding engagement with the surface 11 of the hand 16. Otherwise, the parts are assembled in the same manner as previously described. In this embodiment of the invention, in addition to the relative rotation of the hand and wrist about a common axis, the hand has substantially universal movement relative to the wrist.

The embodiment of the limb joint shown in FIGS. 7 through 10 utilizes the same wrist or arm 20 as used in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5. struction of the wrist end of the hand is somewhat different.

In this embodiment of the invention, the wrist end of the hand, in the same manner as in that shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, includes a flat annular surface 11" bounded by a peripheral rib 12" extending outwardly from the surface 11". The hand is slush molded in the same manner and from the same material as is the hand of FIGS. 1 through 5 and 6.

A generally frusto-conical boss projects outwardly from the wrist end of the hand, as shown at 40. The base of boss or protuberance 49 is spaced outwardly from the surface 11 by a short cylindrical portion or neck 41 having a diameter less than that of the base of boss 40. The base of boss 49 lies in a diametrical plane, and thus there However, the con-.

is provided an undercut groove whose side walls are defined by the base 42 of the boss 49 and by the surface 11, the base of the groove being the periphery of the reduced neclt 41. A substantially helical lead-in groove 45 extends through an arc of the order of degrees from the surface 43 of the boss 40 to the groove formed by neck 41. Lead-in groove 45 merges smoothly, at its outer end, with the surface 43, and increases gradually in depth toward its inner end until it merges smoothly with the neck 41.

In assembling this form of the joint, the flange 22 of wrist E9 is bent slightly so that it will ride into the groove 35. Relative rotation between the hand it) and the wrist 2i! is then effected so that the flange 22 passes along the lead-in groove 45 and enters beneath the base 42 of the boss When once engaged in the groove formed by base 42, neck 41 and surface 11', the flange 22 cannot be disengaged from this groove unless the flange is cut or torn. Hence, a permanently connected assembly is provided in which the hand and wrist may be relatively rotated to any desired degree without disengagement from each other. The joint is long lasting and substantially indestructible, yet it is formed in a simple and inexpensive manner, and assembled in a simple and inexpensive manner.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail in order to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A jointed limb assembly comprising a limb extremity member having a joint surface on one end, a protuberance extending outwardly of said joint surface, an outer peripheral rib flush with the outer surface of said member and extending outwardly of said joint surface, a limb member having a substantially tubular joint portion formed with an annular flange at the end of said joint portion, a wire loop secured in said protuberance and extending axially therefrom, and a coil spring having an end coil seated on the inner surface of said flange and having a hook extending axially therethrough from the opposite end coil, said hook being engaged with said wire loop to urge said rib and flange together while permitting relative rotation of said members, said flange extending angularly inwardly away from said joint surface forming an outer peripheral edge, said edge engaging said rib in line contact at only. the outermost periphery of said rib.

2. A jointed limb assembly comprising a limb extremity member having a joint surface on one end, a protuberance of substantially circular cross section extending outwardly of said joint surface, a limb member having a substantially tubular joint portion of substantially circular cross section formed with an annular flange at the end of said joint portion, said protuberance extending beyond said flange in closely spaced relationship thereto, said flange extending angularly inwardly away from said joint surface, forming an outer peripheral edge, a wire loop secured in said protuberance and extending axially therefrom, and a coil spring having an end coil seated on the inner surface of said flange and having a hook extending axially therethrough from the opposite end coil, said hook being engaged with said wire loop to urge said joint surface and edge together while permitting relative rotation of said members, said edge engaging said joint surface in line contact at only the outermost periphery of said joint surface so that said limb extremity member is substantially flush with said limb member.

3. A jointed limb assembly comprising a limb extremity member having a joint surface on one end, a protuberance of substantially circular cross section extending outwardly of said joint surface, an outer peripheral rib flush with the outer surface of said member and extending outwardly of said joint surface, a limb member having a substantially tubular joint portion of substantially circular cross section formed with an annular flange at the end of said joint portion, said protuberance extending beyond said flange in closely spaced relationship thereto, said flange extending angularly inwardly away from said joint surface forming an outer peripheral edge, :a Wire loop secured in said protuberance and extending axially therefrom, and a coil spring having an end coil seated on the inner surface of said flange and having a hook extending axially therethrough from the opposite end coil, said hook being engaged with said wire loop to urge said rib and edge together while permitting relative rotation of said members, said edge engaging said rib in line contact at only the outermost periphery of said rib.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Parsons Dec. 8, Myers Sept. 23, Hill Apr. 16, Schaeffer Apr. 26, Hugus et a1. May 30, Rekettye May 8, Baggott July 23, Gradwohl Mar. 31, 

2. A JOINTED LIMB ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LIMB EXTREMITY MEMBER HAVING A JOINT SURFACE ON ONE END, A PROTUBERANCE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID JOINT SURFACE, A LIMB MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY TUBULAR JOINT PORTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION FORMED WITH AN ANNULAR FLANGE AT THE END OF SAID JOINT PORTION, SAID PROTUBERANCE EXTENDING BEYOND SAID FLANGE IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATIONSHIP THERETO, SAID FLANGE EXTENDING ANGULARLY INWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID JOINT SURFACE, FORMING AN OUTER PERIPHERAL EDGE, A WIRE LOOP SECURED IN SAID PROTUBERANCE AND EXTENDING AXIALLY THEREFROM, AND A COIL SPRING HAVING AN END COIL SEATED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID FLANGE AND HAVING A HOOK EXTENDING AXIALLY THERETHROUGH FROM THE OPPOSITE END COIL, SAID HOOK BEING ENGAGED WITH SAID WIRE LOOP TO URGE SAID JOINT SURFACE AND EDGE TOGETHER WHILE PERMITTING RELATIVE ROTATION OF SAID MEMBERS, SAID EDGE ENGAGING SAID JOINT SURFACE IN LINE CONTACT AT ONLY THE OUTERMOST PERIPHERY OF SAID JOINT SURFACE SO THAT SAID LIMB EXTREMITY MEMBER IS SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH SAID LIMB MEMBER. 